Published: Friday, March 21, 2014 at 11:53 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 21, 2014 at 11:53 a.m.

A Dunnellon man stopped by a sheriff's deputy for driving recklessly Thursday night was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

Marion County sheriff's officials reported finding nearly 10 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the car 46-year-old Justin Valentine was driving.

Deputy Joseph Tussey noticed a rented silver 2014 Toyota had crossed the center lines several times while traveling on East State Road 40. At one point, it struck a curb.

Tussey stopped the car on East SR 40 near the Appleton Museum of Art and, while talking with Valentine, smelled alcohol on his breath, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

Another deputy, Gerald Boatwright, was called to the scene, and he conducted a field sobriety exercise with Valentine. Valentine was arrested after deputies said he failed the test.

In the car, the deputies reported finding a six pack of beer and a black duffel bag containing 18 one-gallon bags of a green leafy substance that proved to be marijuana. It weighed 9 pounds, 12.7 ounces, according to the report. Officials said the marijuana was worth $35,000 to $50,000.

At the jail, Valentine submitted to a breath test. The results showed blood alcohol levels of .02 and .016, well below the state's legal benchmark of .08. Sheriff's officials also obtained a urine sample for testing.

Valentine told deputies he didn't know anything about the marijuana in the trunk. He said he had not had a drink in "a long time and just felt like getting buzzed," according to the report.

Court records indicate Valentine was out on bond after being arrested on charges of DUI and possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, with a hearing slated for next month. As a condition of his bond, Valentine was ordered not to consume or possess any alcohol or illegal drugs.

<p>A Dunnellon man stopped by a sheriff's deputy for driving recklessly Thursday night was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.</p><p>Marion County sheriff's officials reported finding nearly 10 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the car 46-year-old Justin Valentine was driving.</p><p>Deputy Joseph Tussey noticed a rented silver 2014 Toyota had crossed the center lines several times while traveling on East State Road 40. At one point, it struck a curb.</p><p>Tussey stopped the car on East SR 40 near the Appleton Museum of Art and, while talking with Valentine, smelled alcohol on his breath, according to a Sheriff's Office report.</p><p>Another deputy, Gerald Boatwright, was called to the scene, and he conducted a field sobriety exercise with Valentine. Valentine was arrested after deputies said he failed the test.</p><p>In the car, the deputies reported finding a six pack of beer and a black duffel bag containing 18 one-gallon bags of a green leafy substance that proved to be marijuana. It weighed 9 pounds, 12.7 ounces, according to the report. Officials said the marijuana was worth $35,000 to $50,000.</p><p>At the jail, Valentine submitted to a breath test. The results showed blood alcohol levels of .02 and .016, well below the state's legal benchmark of .08. Sheriff's officials also obtained a urine sample for testing.</p><p>Valentine told deputies he didn't know anything about the marijuana in the trunk. He said he had not had a drink in "a long time and just felt like getting buzzed," according to the report.</p><p>Court records indicate Valentine was out on bond after being arrested on charges of DUI and possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, with a hearing slated for next month. As a condition of his bond, Valentine was ordered not to consume or possess any alcohol or illegal drugs.</p><p>Valentine remained in the jail Friday in lieu of $5,500 bond.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>